March 4, 2015 - The Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway will open its spectator gates this Saturday, March 7th, for the latest round of their 2014-2015 Winter Blast Racing Series, presented by Next Era Energy Resources. The spectator gates will open at 5pm followed by racing at 7pm. The quarter mile paved oval is located at the Colorado River Fairgrounds in beautiful Blythe-California.
Speedway Promoter Ronnie Hasler has planned a full evening of racing for the fans on this night that features the return of the Late Models running a 50 lap main event. Also racing Saturday night will be the River Pawn Street Stocks, the NAPA Factory Stocks/Factory 4's, the Legend Cars and Bandoleros. Also on the schedule is a special guest appearance from the USAC Honda HPD Midgets. This very full evening is being sponsored by the locally owned and operated Denny's Restaurant.
The Late Models will be making their second appearance on the Blythe winter racing schedule. That first event, back on February 7th, featured twin main events. Both races were won by Blythe Late Model veteran, and track champion, Mike Sutterfield with drivers Mike Goodwin and Adolfo Noriego in pursuit mode. It's highly likely that this trio of drivers will be back for another round of hard racing much to the delight of the fans.
The River Pawn Street Stocks will be taking the green flag for their sixth main event of the season. Their last appearance, February 21st, saw Mike Sutterfield parking his street stocker in victory lane.
However, the hot shoe this winter season has been local driver John Lowrance who, after winning multiple titles in the speedway's Factory Stock division, moved up in class to become a Street Stock rookie. Lowrance made quick work of getting used to his new racing environment and, in the last five races, has accumulated three wins and a pair of second place finishes. He now appears to be well on his way to the River Pawn Street Stock championship.
The Fan Favorite NAPA Factory Stocks will be racing for the eighth time Saturday night. Local driver Richard Selph leads the division's "W" column with three trips to victory lane. However, the hot shoe in the division as of late has been Robert Spivey who won the last two consecutive races. Other feature winners include Joel Ray and Steve Moore.
The speedway's Factory 4 division continues to show signs of positive growth. This very affordable entry level into racing features sub compact cars such as Honda Civics. In their last two appearances Richard Selph and Zachary Holm scored their second feature wins of the season.
Greatly resembling roadsters from the 1930's and 1940's, the Legend Cars are very popular at the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway. Powered by motorcycle engines, these cars are freaky fast on the quarter mile oval and frequently features door to door, wheel to wheel, racing.
The Legends will making their second appearance of the winter season Saturday night. Veteran driver Chad Schug won that first event with Tyler Hicks, Gary Scheuerell, Mike Vanderlip and Rod Schug completing the top five.
Also making their second appearance of the season Saturday night will be the youngsters in their small, but very swift, Bandoleros. Ryan Vargas won that first race with Allison Gay, Zachary St Onge, Ricky Lewis and Austin Edwards completing the top five. The Bandolero program is an excellent entry level to oval track racing for these kids. Who Knows? You may actually be watching a future NASCAR champion.
Adding to the excitement Saturday night will be the presence of the USAC Honda HPD Midgets. This series is bring the fans to their feet intense. The small, but powerful, open wheel cars literally flies around a quarter mile short track while sometimes obtaining speeds compatible to full size late model stock cars. Dylan Noble won the series' recent season opener, in Lake Havasu City-Arizona, and will arrive in Blythe as the championship points leader with the talents of Bryant Dawson and Michael Fanelli right behind him.
Someone new will be officially introduced this Saturday night according to Promoter Ronnie Hasler who said "we are thrilled to announce that Will White will be joining our Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway family as our new Tech Inspection Director. Will brings 20 years of racing experience to our program and we're thrilled to welcome someone of that caliber."
All of this affordable Saturday night family fun is being brought to you by Denny's Restaurant. Originally founded in 1953 as a donut shop in Spartanburg-South Carolina, Denny's now has 1,600 franchises located in 14 countries. Another company highlight arrived in 1977 when Denny's introduced their still popular grand slam breakfast. Hungry patrons in Blythe can enjoy their grand slams, among many other delicious menu items, at 876 West Donlon Street.
On Saturday, Denny's Restaurant race day, the spectator gates will open at 5pm with racing at 7pm. General admission tickets are $12 and $10 for seniors, age 55 and up, military personnel and the handicapped. Teen tickets, age 13 to 17 are $6. Children's tickets, age six to 12. are $3 while children five and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult. The speedway also offers a budget friendly family pack for $25 which admits two adults and two children age five to 17. Additionally, Palo Verde High School students can receive a one dollar discount on their tickets by presenting their school ID at the ticket gate, Also, race fans can receive a two dollar discount, off of one general admission ticket, by presenting their AAA cards.
For out of town race teams and fans, the America's Best Value Inn is the official motel of the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway. Located at 850 West Hobsonway, they offer beautiful and spacious rooms at very affordable rates. Call 760 922 5145 for reservations which can also be made online.
For more information regarding the speedway's 2014-2015 Winter Blast Racing Series, dial up Facebook/Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway Blythe.
